Adarsh Krishen, ’82, M.D., M.M.M., is driven by a commitment to family medicine, community service and rescue dogs
A series of custom stained glass windows featuring Bob's family crest (left) and Adarsh’s name in Hindi (right).Adarsh Krishen entered Kent State as a freshman honors student living in Apple Hall, where he made many wonderful connections that he maintains to this day - including meeting the love of his life and fellow alumnus, Robert Tazuma, ’86. Following graduation, Adarsh attended NEOMED before beginning a career in family medicine. For more than 25 years, he advanced medical professionals’ education as an associate director of the residency program at Summa - Akron City, and in 2013, he took on the additional role of clinical professor of family and community medicine at NEOMED. He left Summa in 2016 with plans to retire. Instead, he became chief medical officer for Planned Parenthood of Greater Ohio, which serves 61,000 patients in 15 locations each year. Adarsh is active on the board of directors for both Kent State’s Honors College and the American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio. He and Bob have also spent years working with Ohio Aussie Rescue for Australian shepherds. Their most recent rescue is a rottweiler named Boss. The couple, who both benefited from scholarship support as Kent State students, have endowed a scholarship in their fathers’ names to help future Golden Flashes earn their degrees. Through it all, Adarsh’s career, volunteerism and philanthropic efforts reflect a life devoted to both professional excellence and meaningful community impact. Get to know Adarsh in his own words.
KSU: What is your idea of perfect happiness?
AK: I have been accused of being an eternal optimist so happiness and joy are easy to find everywhere. Perfect happiness is time spent with loved ones or friends.
KSU: What is your favorite trait in others?
AK: I admire people’s strength and resiliency. Truthfulness and honesty are traits of my favorite people.
KSU: What trait about yourself do you like least?
AK: I enjoy spending time with and meeting new people but, as an introvert, this can sometimes be very challenging.
KSU: Who has had the greatest influence on your life?
AK: My family. Specifically, my sister Komal, who always seemed to know the right thing to say or do.
KSU: What is your favorite Kent State memory?
AK: Dinners with friends in small group from Apple Hall.
KSU: What is your favorite journey?
AK: As a "journey," I must say lifelong learning. It is a wonderful, never-ending process. As a trip or experience, it will always be traveling to India and elsewhere to spend time with family. I love traveling and learning about different cultures, people and foods. It is definitely whatever journey I completed most recently that is my favorite one.
KSU: What is your guilty pleasure?
AK: Walking around the yard with that first (and only) cup of coffee in the early hours of the morning before the chaos of the day takes over.
KSU: What do you consider your greatest achievement?
AK: Having lived a life with no regrets and hopefully having helped others along the way.
KSU: If you could come back as one person, who would it be and why?
AK: The person our rescue rottweiler thinks I am. He thinks I am full of love, compassion and respect!
KSU: What part of your college experience most formed who you are today?
AK: The patience and tolerance conveyed by friends and mentors helped shape me into the person I am today.